Remember those Ricoh GXR cameras where changing the lens meant changing the sensor?

Well, now Ricoh has announced an APS-C "Lens Mount Unit" which will accept Leica lenses. Here's the press release:

Ricoh announces development of expansion unit for theGXR interchangeable unit camera system

Tokyo, Japan, February 1, 2011—Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) today announced the development of expansionunit for the GXR interchangeable unit camera system, which went on sale on December 18, 2009.

The GXR is a revolutionary new interchangeable unit camera system in which lenses can be changed by mounting camera units thatintegrate lens, image sensor, and image processing engine into a single unit. In addition, fully utilizing its unique capabilities, the GXRline will expand to include a variety of devices through the addition of interchangeable units other than camera units.

The GXR line now includes four camera units, but the newly developed unit being announced here is an expansion unit.

Development model name: GXR Lens Mount Unit

With this lens mount unit, photographers can mount lenses such as Leica M lenses and use them for shooting with the GXR.

The lens mount unit is being designed to make the best use of the optical characteristics of the lenses mounted. It will haveas its image sensor a 23.6 mm × 15.7 mm (APS-C size; total pixels: approx. 12.90 million) CMOS sensor, and it will also featurea newly developed focal plane shutter.

Release is planned for the autumn of 2011.

There are plans to display a design mock-up of the GXR lens mount unit at the CP+ CAMERA & PHOTO IMAGING SHOW to be held fromFebruary 9 (Wed.) to 12 (Sat.) at Pacifico Yokohama.